There are, as you'll know, a lot of costume seamstresses/seamsters on the old YT, but this one below is one I like watching. She hand sews everything in an effort to preserve authenticity and it's nice to watch.
It pokes a bit of a hole in the 'Americans don't hand-sew' remark. She also seems a very pleasant character. Here she is making a shift/chemise from linen.
https://youtu.be/bn7teD0bx_E
Thanks Henry. She is pleasant.
Yes, she is very pleasant and did a nice job of it.
Thank you. Loved the video.
I have loved this type of clothing since I began to sew clothes for myself in the early 1980's - almost as long ago as when they were fashionable.
My starting point was Folkware Patterns ( https://www.folkwear.com ), they go into some level of detail in construction.
The Ladies Chemise pattern is very lovely- https://www.folkwear.com/collections/vintage/products/223-a-ladys-chemise?variant=35454385486
(https://i.postimg.cc/qgShfM6Z/Chemise.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qgShfM6Z)
(https://i.postimg.cc/6yCQDVXy/Chemise-Detail.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6yCQDVXy)
The male equivalent is the linen shirt - the standard male undergarment for hundreds of years. There are now many versions of this shown on pinterest.
I've made this one.
https://www.folkwear.com/collections/vintage/products/204-missouri-river-boatmans-shirt?variant=35178008334
I love wearing it.
These are currently considered the best-researched and most accurate patterns for a late 18th-century American shift and shirt:
https://atthesignofthegoldenscissors.com/products/manual-for-18th-century-womens-shifts
https://atthesignofthegoldenscissors.com/products/a-manual-of-18thc-shirtmaking
Nice!
I like the look of 18thC shirts and I've even made one. I can't wear it though, except as a nightshirt. The dropped shoulder is irritating and they are just too roomy.
I've thought about doing one with a more fitted shape; somewhat like the ones Peter Gilmore wore in The Onedin Line.
Thank's for that A. Farrell :)
I do agree with you Henry Hall. I even made mine super modest like the one worn by Lee Marvin in Paint Your Wagon. They do make a dramatic summer afternoon though.